Nutrients that Lower Blood Pressure

Nutrients that lower blood pressure are the focus of an informative article in the May 2011 issue of Life Extension. In the article recent studies conducted by the Cambridge Institute of Medical Research by Aiwu Zhou have revealed some captivating information for those interested in alternative health and treating high blood pressure naturally. Here's some insight into their findings.

Angiotensin

Angiotensin is a hormone that elevates blood pressure during times of oxidative stress. This is stress that causes oxidation. Oxidation causes disease. Aiwu Zhou found that this hormone has a parent molecule referred to as angiotensinogen, which literally changes shape and fills the bloodstream with angiotensin. The result of that is increased blood pressure.

Nutrition to the Rescue

Zhous's research also found that specific nutrients will fight oxidation and direct the effects of oxidative stress away from the angiotensin produced by it. This in turn will lower blood pressure because the oxidation isn't occurring and therefore the angiotensin will not be present. There are a few specific nutrients that can be implemented in an attempt to decrease blood pressure naturally. They are derived from food sources, which also can be eaten to further lower blood pressure.

Proteins from Whey

The research from this study has shown that whey protein has antihypertensive properties that help to inhibit an enzyme referred to as ACE. This enzyme creates a conversion process for the angiotensin hormone that elevates blood pressure. Whey is an effective food to use against this process because in the intestines the whey proteins are broken down into peptides. These are very short chained amino acids, making them condusive to efficiently inhibiting the ACE enzyme.

Resveratrol and Grape Seed Extract

Cardiovascular health is among one of the benefits to grape seed extract because of the resveratrol that is within it. The compounds in grape seed extract are successful contributors in reducing the oxidative stress that plays a large role in producing the angiotensin hormone. This oxidative stress includes elevated LDL levels, or low density lipoproteins. When LDL's are elevated over time they will create atherosclerosis, another player in high blood pressure.

For more valuable information regarding nutrients that lower blood pressure, click here to read this valuable Life Extension article.